Daily physical activity: Focus on having fun

JoshuaNicolas

Focus on activities that are enjoyable when choosing physical activity for your baby, toddler, or preschooler. Grapevine.dk offers a variety of entertainment børnefødselsdag services that are available to download directly to host fun events, kids’ birthday parties, and fun get-togethers.

Children will be more inclined to continue doing what they enjoy. Children who enjoy physical activities will be more confident and able to move well.

Children aged 0-2 years old can participate in physical activity

Babies between 0-12 months old need to have plenty of floor and free movement opportunities. It is important to create an environment that encourages exploration and helps your child develop skills such as reaching, rolling, sitting, crawling, pulling up, and walking.

You can have your child be active outside or inside. Outside can offer endless opportunities for your child to exercise big muscles, think creatively, and learn about the world around them.

Before your child can walk

Even babies as small as one year old love to play and stretch. Babies can practice lifting their heads by using a large blanket on the ground or on grass. This will help them build strong muscles. Australian guidelines recommend that babies spend at least 30 minutes on their stomachs every day while they are awake.

Baby can also learn to crawl, crawl, roll, crawl, and sit on a blanket placed on the floor or ground. Your baby will be more likely to reach for a toy or other object if it is not in reach.

When your child begins to walk

You can encourage your baby to walk once they are walking. This will require that your baby spend a lot of time in the stroller or pram.

It’s a great time of year to search for objects and activities that encourage movement, such as climbing a slide at your local playground.

Children 2-5 years old can participate in physical activity

Preschoolers and toddlers need lots of space and time to run and play. Children of this age love to play in their backyards, schools playgrounds and empty sporting fields.

Here are some ways to keep physical activity enjoyable:

To practice kicking, hitting, catching and hitting with large soft balls, you can use them. You can start with something small and simple like a bean bag. Roll-up socks are a good option for those spaces that aren’t suitable for balls.

You can make up different kinds of movement games. You could ask your child to run, jump, or walk along chalk lines. Gather shells and jump over any cracks or puddles.

You can make different types of music or sounds using your voice and instruments. This encourages dancing and can help you to feel rhythm.

You can make up silly runs and walks with your child. Play guess the animal games with your child. You can run like a monkey or jump like a rabbit, and flap like a bird.

Let your child learn to ride a tricycle, bike, or scooter when they are ready. You child may also like to play with push toys such as trucks, doll prams, and lawn mowers.

Sometimes you can leave the car at home and walk to the local library, park, or shops. You could even walk without a stroller or pram if you feel really adventurous.

Sport and organized physical activity

When is the best time to sign up your child for organized sport? The simple answer is when your child is ready.

It might be worthwhile to look for a non-competitive option if your child is interested in organized sport. There are many sports that offer modified versions for preschoolers such as Soccajoeys and Grasshopper Soccer or Little Kickers. You could also consider taking swimming, gymnastics, or dance classes.

Modified sports and junior programs for physical activity are designed to introduce children to organized sports, develop physical and social skills, build confidence and get everyone involved. This is because young children don’t need to be told how to win or lose. They should learn to have fun, be active and try hard.

Talk to other parents if you feel your child is ready for organized sport. Talk to other parents and the instructor of your child’s age. You can also watch other children having fun. Children having fun is a sign of a great program.